Obituary
Peter passed away peacefully Sunday morning, November 27, at the University of Alberta Hospital. He was 93 years old. He was born on the family farm near Ruthenia, Manitoba, the sixth of eight children. He attended the local rural school, leaving when he had completed Grade VIII in order to work on the family farm. He was called into military service in 1944. When the war ended, he returned to farming. In the ensuing years, Peter co-owned the local hotel, operated the John Deere dealership, and farmed near Rossburn. During this time, he became involved in local politics, serving either as a town council member or as the mayor of the town of Rossburn for more than twenty years. He was also active in community service with the Lion�s Club, the Legion, and his church.
He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Frances (nee Schaworski, Tanasychuk), his step-children, Diane (Gordon) McIlwain of Bragg Creek and Frank (Laura) Tanasychuk, and his grandsons, Alex (Julissa Bayer) Tanasychuk and Joel Tanasychuk of Edmonton. Also mourning his loss are numerous family members and friends, including his remaining sister, Dora Verbowski of Sandy Lake, Manitoba. He was predeceased by his parents, Anthony and Annie, and six of his siblings: Nicholas, Michael, Joseph, William, Lena, and Irene.
Peter and Frances enjoyed travelling to various parts of Canada and the United States, as well as Mexico and the Bahamas. They loved talking to people and made many friends in their travels
They retired from the farm to Brandon in 1990, and enjoyed the benefits of living in a small city. Nurturing family ties and friendships and spending time at their cabin at Clear Lake, became priorities for them during these years.
In 2008, they relocated to Edmonton to be close to their families. They saw their grandsons grow up and have had the benefit of immediate family being able to visit regularly.
Peter was active in the carpentry activities in their complex as well as participating in the Men�s Night and the exercise programs. While he was able, he and Frances loved to dance and attend social activities. Sadly, his health issues became increasingly limiting over the past year, and he began his final hospital stay on November 15, 2016, just two days after a family celebration of his 45th wedding anniversary with Frances.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to do so may make a donation in Peter�s memory to the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
